Shloka 15
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
स तान् दृष्टवा तथा छिज्नांस्तोमरान् भगदत्तज: । इषूनसक्तांस्त्वरित: प्राहिणोत् पाण्डवं प्रति,इस प्रकार उन तोमरोंके टुकड़े-टुकड़े हुए देख भगदत्तके पुत्रने पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनपर शीघ्रतापूर्वक लगातार बाणोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी
sa tān dṛṣṭvā tathā chinnāṃs tomarān bhagadattajaḥ | iṣūn asaktāṃs tvaritaḥ prāhiṇot pāṇḍavaṃ prati ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing those javelins shattered into pieces, Bhagadatta’s son swiftly loosed an unbroken volley of arrows against the Pāṇḍava, Arjuna—pressing the battle with relentless force rather than yielding after his weapon was broken.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a kṣatriya battle-context, the verse highlights steadfastness and tactical adaptability: when one weapon is neutralized, the warrior immediately shifts to another means rather than collapsing into despair—an ethic of resolve and presence of mind under pressure.
After Arjuna has cut the incoming tomara-javelins into pieces, Bhagadatta’s son responds quickly by launching a continuous stream of arrows at Arjuna, escalating the exchange of missiles.